Monica Edinger's Blog, page 136

Holt's Darwin Ladies

A few weeks ago I was in one of the coolest conference rooms, a prow-like space in the Flatiron Building, at the invitation of Henry Holt to hear the Darwin Duo, Deborah Heiligman, author of Charles and Emma and Jacqueline Kelly, author of The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate.  Afterwards I managed to get a very poor Iphone pic of the two ladies signing (so I could tweet it, natch); please take it from me that Deborah's face is as gorgeous as her hair and blue

Coincidently, before the...

Fairies Pro and Con

I'm a fairy person.  I grew up loving fairy stories — the classical fairy tales and various delightful stories involving encounters with little, magical people.  So I was totally charmed by Laura Amy Schlitz's forthcoming book The Night Fairy and delighted to see Betsy Bird's mention of the associated website.  It is indeed the perfect book for the child who loves tiny people, nature, and a gentle sort of magic. Completely and utterly delightful.

But I have to admit I also greatly enjoy...

Looking Good!

A few weeks ago I got an email from Betsy Bird of Fuse#8 asking me if I wanted to be on the cover of School Library Journal.  Rather! I answered and was soon deep in conversation with Betsy and my fellow cover girls about what was really important — our attire. Exactly why we were on the cover was a little vague to me; I gathered Betsy had done an article about blogs in which we were mentioned, but that was all I knew.

So today the new issue is online and I get to see the article in question...

What Kids Think About the "Where the Wild Things Are" Movie

I started a book bloggers club this year partly so that kids who had blogs with me in 4th grade could continue with them in later grades and those from other classes who wanted to start blogs could.  Currently it is a lovely, if small cohort of 6th grade girls. Curious about what they'd think,  I took them to see "Where the Wild Things Are" last week.  Check out their very insightful reviews:

dn's Movie: Where the Wild Things Are (This one was up earlier this week so I tweeted it and quite a...

Another Worthy Best of List

… because I'm on it?  Perhaps, but I do think it is a very thoughtful list of blogs.  The categories are very interesting; for example, I'm in the "From and For the Professionals" section along with editors, writers, and reviewers.

Check it out:  100 Best Book Blogs for Kids, Tweens, and Teens.

Revisiting: Little Vampire

At a recent HarperCollins preview I learned about the latest vampire-classic mash-up: Little Vampire Women.   Yes, Louisa May Alscott, who was no slouch herself when it came to a thriller, is collaborating with one Lyn Messina on a new edition of Marmee's girls' story, undead meeting up with pickled limes this time round.

The title immediately made me think of Joann Sfar's Little Vampire which is another species entirely.  I fell in love with the little fellow some years ago in the graphic...

Fairy Tales in the Guardian

Via a Philip Pullman fan site I came across his wonderful retelling of Mossycoat, a Cinderella variant. I'd known of this but hadn't seen it till now.  I highly recommend it as it is witty, clever, and an all around fun telling of this less-familiar variant.

But hold on, that isn't all; wondering just why the Guardian published the tale I did a little investigating and discovered that they have been doing an ongoing fairy tale series for some time now.   Articles on various aspects of the...

Thoughts on Newbery: Picture Books

Over at Heavy Medal, Jonathan has raised the issue of picture books and the Newbery.  It is a challenging one because the award criteria state, "The committee is to make its decision primarily on the text. Other components of a book, such as illustrations, overall design of the book, etc., may be considered when they make the book less effective."   At first Jonathan seemed to be suggesting that "primarily" meant that the art could be considered, but he has now conceded in the comments  that...

On Elephants and Other Wild Things

Some time back I read Kate Dicamillo's The Magician's Elephant and yesterday I saw Spike Jonze's Where the Wild Things Are.  Both were filled with beautiful imagery. Both had a sort of ironic humorous sensibility that I like. Both respected their main characters. Both had sad moments, funny moments, extraordinary imagery, and provided unique viewing/reading experiences.  Both were much admired by me.  And both left me puzzled.

I'd read a few reviews of the Jonze movie before I went. Those...

Throwing and Catching Voice

Mr. Rey was plump, in a brown suit; he wore glasses and was balding and round-faced and kind. He knew about the stars; he took me into the back garden and pointed out the constellations in a way that made me see them; he had a manner with children that was easy and unforced. We joined the party in the living room, and he stood off to the side. Suddenly, I heard a high voice squeaking, saying "Nicky. Help! It's Curious George and I'm stuck in the chimney, just here inside the fireplace. Come...